Sports President Candidates

Sports President Candidates

The Sports President leads the running and development of the Sports Clubs at UWESU, acts as Chair of the Sports Council, sits on the University Joint Committee for Sports, encourages sporting events such as Varsity and Sports Awards Dinner

Oliver Barrett

Personal Statement

As a member of the Bristol Bullets squad that won the National College Championship last year I take sport very seriously, that aside though I’m a very easy going guy who thoroughly loves being a student having a laugh both on and off the field.

Being the American Football Club president has helped me to develop as a person and given me an experience of how Sport is ran by the SU and Centre for Sport which will help me to be in a better position to make good decisions on behalf of all sports clubs at UWE

Manifesto

I have all ways been passionate about sport, ever since I took up ice hockey at four I have had a love of all sports both team and individual.

The only thing bigger than my love of sport is to see people and clubs develop and thrive. It is this desire to see people grow and develop as an athlete that makes me want to be sports president of an all ready outstandingly gifted Sporting community here at UWE.

I will use this desire to bring in policies that will encourage athletic development amongst our student athletes, such as increased access to the centre for sport resources and staff.

In my opinion sport is ran very well at UWE, using the success of our clubs as a yard stick, however I don’t think we as a university do enough to celebrate and publicise this success around UWE, it would be one of my aims to promote our successes a lot more, which would hopefully encourage wider participation and support for our club sports through out the year not just during the Varsity series.

Using this increased support also to promote the idea of sport for life. Sport can be a tool for later life both socially, meeting new people or climbing the corporate ladder, and in terms of living a complete and healthy life-style, which I know sounds rather drab and cliché, but everyone can get something good from sport whether it be a team sport or an individual one.

Bullet Points

• Fair informed decisions on behalf of all clubs, using my experiences as a president.
• No half-hearted or false promises, I won’t promise what I can’t deliver.
• Commitment to development of all of our clubs and facilities, not just the bigger clubs.
• Passion for the success of our clubs and our university.
• Greater focus on athletic development for all our student athletes.

Ed de Cross

Personal Statement

I’m currently a 3rd year geography student with a keen enthusiasm for all aspects of sport, which has driven me to stand for Sports President for the upcoming year. I’ve played an active role in developing UWE men’s football, acting as 4th team captain and committee member, being heavily involved in the organisation of trials, initiations and varsity. I’ve taken my interest for sports further than merely playing the game by gaining qualifications in coaching and refereeing and currently show my willingness and dedication to the SU by working in the SU bar and contributing to the organisation of events.

Manifesto

My last two years participating in the running of one of the largest sports clubs within UWE has given me the drive and ambition to make a real difference to the UWE sporting experience. My involvement in SU sports has encouraged me to put my ideas and thoughts into action, helping UWE become a dominant force in university sport.

UWE sports is a vibrant committee, and increasing links to sporting opportunities in the local area would greatly benefit both the SU and the development of clubs across the board; something I’m intent on achieving and implementing.

Further goals include:

Increasing accessibility to sports at UWE to increase participation and create more successful, competitive, fun and financially viable clubs and societies. This will be achieved by increasing communication with club presidents and improving the advertising of sporting opportunities.

Promote equal development between clubs, in allowing funding to be more evenly distributed throughout UWE sports, allowing smaller clubs to grow in stature to maintain the level of success.

Working closer with club representatives allowing individual clubs to develop in hope of increasing efficiency within the club and success as a committee on the whole.

I am certain with my academic, social and sporting skills I would be an asset to the Student Union, making me highly suitable for this role. My drive, dedication and aspirations for both the SU and sport throughout UWE will allow me to bring the skills needed to further the development of UWE sports.

Bullet Points

• Establish links between local clubs and UWE in an attempt to provide more sporting opportunities.
• To work closer with club reps to promote more sport specific development of individual clubs.
• To distribute funds more evenly, as well as keeping within budgets set.
• Help generate income by promoting social and sporting events. (Eg. Varsity, Sport Night)
• Increase participation and create more successful, competitive, fun and financially viable clubs and societies.

Lily Priggs

Personal Statement

Hello all! So I’m back to run in the UWESU elections! After becoming addicted to the kickboxing club in my first year I happily threw myself into the committee. In my last year at UWE I was elected as the Martial Arts Representative… and now , here I am! This year so far I’ve had a go at gliding, rugby and tae kwon do, I’ve played in the intramural netball programme and represented hockey in BUSA which has been awesome! On top of that I’ve been able to watch loads of the UWE sports clubs doing what they do best

Manifesto

Being a sabbatical officer is a massive learning curve. Having had this experience I’m in an advantageous position to develop issues I’ve addressed, and continue to build on the ideas I’ve implemented.

The communication I’ve built with the University has lead to the first ever Evening Flyer bus service from St Matts. providing cheap, safe transport to late training; and the first ever sponsorship from the Centre for Sport of the UWESU Naked Playing Cards, raising valuable money for clubs.

My plan to restructure the Sports Executive will allow clubs to develop in areas such as publicity, events and sponsorship. Currently the Sports clubs accounts are healthy with money to buy new equipment. Now, to engage with the clubs further I’ve completely reinvigorated the structure and content of the committee training, so they’re in a better position to develop their club and take responsibility for the thousands of pounds going through their accounts.

This training extends to Campus chairs. For too long they have not received the support they need to represent the students on their sites. The proposal I put forward for them having their own budget is a step in the right direction.

My outreach project, the Sport For All survey, with a strong focus on the provisions for disabled students (or rather students disabled by UWE!), has already led to University recognition. I want to move this forward and provide the University with robust research highlighting what other barriers they can break to encourage UWE students’ participation.

Bullet Points

• Continue Outreach Projects to students under represented by UWE and UWESU. eg. students with disabilities.
• Engage with clubs further, eg. Reinvigorating the committee training to substantially improve club development
• Use my experience to improve the Sports Awards Dinner, Varsity Series’ and Sports&Societies (words cut, exceeded limit)
• Engage the student body in important Awareness Campaigns such as a self-defence week.
• Continue proving the Participation Barriers to the University and help break them, eg. gym prices

Darel Poole

Personal Statement

I have been at UWE for two years now and have enjoyed every part. I Play Football and Rugby for UWE in BUSA competitions and I am also a member of Intramural Netball and the Golf Club. Since September I have worked in the Sport and Activities Centre, gaining vital experience and knowledge that I can use in the role of sports president.

Manifesto

Hi! I'm Darel Poole, and I want to be your next Sports President. Of course I'm passionate about sport and highly motivated, but the important thing is that I want to work to move this Union forward as part of the Executive team.

I want to lobby for a swimming pool, create volunteering opportunities and increase participation in sport.

Bristol students have a swimming pool. Why don't we?! I will lead the campaign for this major facility that we are lacking in order to provide both leisure and competitive opportunities for all.

Volunteering should provide students with the opportunity to gain practical experience and knowledge. The current sport executive structure is unempowering and restrictive. I will restructure the Exec, giving them more freedom, responsibility, and opportunities to influence key decision making within sport. For example, I will create an events officer post that will allow students to gain event management experience whilst supporting the varsity series.

I want to increase student participation in sport at both a performance and recreational level. I will work with the Centre for Sport to increase the range of sports available in the intramural programme and to make more training slots available for sports clubs.

I want to provide the service that you demand from your Sports President. I will work hard for you, listen to your needs, and to raise the standards of UWE sport.

If you want a swimming pool on campus, Dive in, vote 'the Poole' for Sport.

Bullet points

• lobby the University to build a swimming pool
• mpower students by creating volunteering opportunities
• develop the range of sports available it the intramural programme
• work to make more training slots available for sports clubs
• be an approachable and responsive sports president